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Jensen named Outstanding Citizen

Jim Jenson, of Iola, has received the 2013 Outstanding Citizen Award from the Iola-Scandinavia Chamber of Commerce.

He received the award at the chamber’s Holiday Banquet on Saturday, Jan. 11.

“Jim has done volunteer work for many organizations, businesses and individuals since his retirement as construction job superintendent for C.R. Myer’s Construction,” Lyle Mork said when nominating Jenson for this award. “I feel (he) is very deserving of this honor.”

Jenson is a member of the American Legion Sheveland Taylor Post #14 and volunteers numerous hours keeping the American Legion Memorial Park on Main Street maintained.

He also volunteers for many military funerals as a member of the Honor Guard Firing Squad and participates in the Memorial Day parades and ceremonies for both Scandinavia and Iola each year.

He volunteers countless hours for the Iola Old Car Show.

“When most people are volunteering during or just before the actual car show, Jim volunteers throughout the year,” Mork said. “This year Jim volunteered over 200 hours with the volunteer hours going to the American Legion, which equals over $1,200 just this year; and he does this every year.”

Jenson also volunteers and helps set up and tear done for the annual Scandinavia Corn Roast.

He helped repair and refurbish the church pews at the Scandinavia Lutheran Church, which took several months to complete.

He built and helped set the I-S Chamber’s kiosk on the northeast corner of State Street and Chet Krause Drive near the Vidar of Iola carving.

As vice president and historian for the Iola Historical Society, Mork noted that this organization has also benefited from Jenson’s generosity.

His work at the IHS complex has included:

Building 13 display cabinets to house displays such as the Stromberg Violin Collection and the Ray Towne Native American Artifacts Collection.

Helping to order and install a new front entry door at the society’s office and museum at 210 Depot Street.

Building walls on which five of the display cabinets are secured, plus fitting and hanging a large 8×6-foot photograph of Main Street Iola that was taken circa 1895.

Jenson is currently working to build a wall and five additional display cabinets in the IHS museum.

“I was very happy receiving the award,” he said. “I will continue my volunteer work.”

Jenson is a lifelong resident of the Iola area and graduated from the I-S High School in 1967.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971.

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